For Canadians looking to escape the winter blahs, the Caribbean is a great destination.
Flights are usually fairly quick and an all-inclusive Caribbean vacation can be quite affordable.
There are more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays in the Caribbean region, so deciding which country to visit can be a challenge. Howard Hillman, traveller of more than 100 countries and writer of more than 25 travel books, has listed his choices for Caribbean islands on his website.
1. Jamaica: "Jamaica is one of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands -- its lush tropical vegetation spreads from shore to mountains," says Hillman on his website. "And its many beachfront resorts attract over a million travellers a year."
2. St. Bart's: "St Bart's is the Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean," he writes. "It's a playground for the rich and famous."
3. British Virgin Islands: "The British Virgin Islands is globally celebrated for its sailing, fishing and beaches, and for its exclusive Virgin Gorda Island," says Hillman.
4. Barbados: "The most famous local specialty is the flying fish sandwich," says Hillman of the island's food.
5. Bahamas: "There are more snorkeling sites than you can count because The Bahamas has the world's third largest coral reef system," says Hillman on his website.
-- NICOLE FEENSTRA IS CANOE.CA'S TRAVEL EDITOR
